Costa Rica is a country that has built its identity around both natural preservation and cultural vibrancy. Known for its stable democracy and emphasis on sustainability, it has become a global leader in eco-tourism.

French Guiana, tucked between Brazil and Suriname on the northeast coast of South America, offers an unexpected blend of Amazonian wilderness, colonial intrigue, and French flair. As an overseas department of France, it uses the euro, speaks French, and has croissants alongside cassava bread at breakfast. Yet just beyond the cafés of Cayenne, vast rainforest stretches for hundreds of kilometers, home to rare wildlife, remote rivers, and Indigenous communities.

Kos, an enchanting island in Greece’s Dodecanese archipelago, is a gem steeped in both history and natural beauty. Known as the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, Kos is home to the ancient Asclepeion, a healing temple where Hippocrates taught his students. Visitors can wander through the well-preserved ruins and enjoy sweeping views over the island and the Aegean Sea.

Quetzaltenango, often called Xela by locals, is Guatemala’s second-largest city and a hub of indigenous culture, colonial history, and highland landscapes. Surrounded by volcanoes, including the towering Santa María, the city sits at over 7,600 feet above sea level, giving it a crisp mountain climate that contrasts with the country’s tropical lowlands.

Krabi, located on the southwest coast of Thailand, is known for its towering limestone cliffs, warm Andaman waters, and a coastline dotted with over 150 islands. One of its most iconic sites is Railay Beach, which is accessible only by boat due to the cliffs that cut it off from the mainland. Railay is famous among rock climbers for its natural limestone formations, some of which hang directly over the sea.